Designing the Perfect Powder Room

The powder room or half bath is typically a main floor bathroom with a sink, toilet, small vanity and mirror. It is usually the smallest room in your home, averaging just 4 feet by 5 feet. If you measure its popularity by the amount of traffic a room gets per square foot, the powder room is certainly worthy of a unique design.



Because of its small size, the powder room is a great place to take chances with design. You might try an intense color or unique materials and products that might typically overpower a larger bathroom.

Once you've decided on your style, you'll want to do some research by checking out some beautiful bathrooms in person. Kitchen and bath showrooms allow you to see the latest styles and products in 3-D. You can also find many online design tools to help you select the right products for your new bathroom.

When deciding what colors to use for your powder room bold hues like merlot, navy, chocolate and even black work well to create a dramatic impact in a small space. If you're not into bold hues, earth tones and light-colored natural materials can also give your space a fresh look.

Despite its small size, there are many necessities that must be considered in your floor plan like plumbing, ventilation, a toilet and sink. A professional designer can look at the overall size of the room, take the mechanicals into account and create a floor plan that maximizes space.

Powder rooms are the perfect place to incorporate materials that are more costly and delicate because the room needs considerably less material and maintenance than other bathrooms in your home.



The faucet is an important design element in a powder room because it helps solidify the room's style. You can use a traditional or contemporary faucet to enhance its theme. It's also important to select the right finish to make sure it blends with the overall design. Try a touch of sparkle to add elegance to this small space.

Vessel sinks are very popular in small bathrooms and come in a variety of styles, shapes and materials to complement any architectural design.

To give your bathroom a more streamlined look, consider a one-piece high efficiency toilet. A great feature for a small bathroom is a toilet that has sound modulation.

Hardwood floors are popular right now, as are rich materials such as granite and marble. You may also consider running the same floor material from the hallway into the powder room to create a natural flow. If you want the look and feel of a hardwood floor that's both durable and eco-friendly, consider bamboo. Radiant heating is an efficient heat source in small bathroom and may eliminate the need for a traditional heat source.

To make a powder room warm and welcoming add pieces of art to your walls and provide little luxuries like finely milled soaps and rich lotion for guests to use. The one thing a powder room doesn't need much of is storage space. Hand towels and extra toilet tissue should be placed in plain sight for guests. So put the lights on a dimmer or light a candle and be proud of your décor when someone asks to use your bathroom.